Few situations are as frightening and stressful as being placed under arrest. Regardless of whether or not you acted in violation of the law, being taken into police custody can prove tremendously scary and turn your entire world upside down. However, as terrifying as this situation may be, you’ll be well-served by maintaining your composure and processing the situation one step at a time. Should you ever find yourself under arrest, avoiding the following mistakes can help ensure that the matter is resolved in a timely and conflict-free fashion.
- Resisting Arrest
Resisting arrest is guaranteed to end poorly for you. In the best case scenario, you’ll be taken into custody with an additional charge hanging over you. In the worst case scenario, an officer may feel threatened enough to use deadly force. No matter how confident you are in your innocence, resisting arrest will not prevent you from being taken into custody, rendering it absolutely pointless. In the heat of the moment, many people experience feelings of intense anger and frustration, which can lead to them putting up resistance. While such feelings are natural in this type of situation, it’s strongly recommended that you keep these emotions in check and accept being arrested with quiet dignity. Resisting arrest only invites more charges, physical harm and, in some cases, deadly force – none of which are consequences you’ll want to face.
- Speaking Without a Lawyer Present
After being arrested, many people want to tell their side of the story posthaste. This is particularly true for individuals who feel that they’ve been wrongly accused. However, as tempting as sharing your story may be, it’s generally a good idea to wait until you have an attorney present. In the absence of a lawyer, you may wind up inadvertently admitting to a crime or adding fuel to the case against you. Keep in mind that anything you say to police can be used against you in court, so if possible, take care to avoid the temptation to mount a defense without an attorney.
- Not Informing Loved Ones
After being arrested, your first order of business should be apprising your loved ones of your situation. Letting close friends or family members know that you’ve been arrested can be embarrassing, but it’s better than allowing them to worry about you. Additionally, the sooner your loved ones know where you are, the sooner they can work on getting you out. If your loved ones can’t afford bail, they should reach out to a dependable bail bonds business. Golden State residents looking for bail bonds in Orange County are sure to find quite a few options at their fingertips.
It’s difficult to overstate just how scary being placed under arrest can be. In the wake of an arrest, some people can’t help but act out and make mistakes that are practically guaranteed to hurt them in the long term. However, by making a conscious effort to avoid the previously discussed blunders, you can effectively prevent the situation from becoming any worse than it needs to be.
